In the East Kazakhstan Region (EKR) there is an acute shortage of immunoglobulin. The drug has run out in many medical organisations, and doctors admit that they are often unable to help those bitten by ticks. Meanwhile, the season of activity for these arthropods continues, and the risk of contracting tick-borne encephalitis remains high.
According to the Telegram channel “HALYQSTAN”, a resident of the city of Altai said on social media that her three-year-old child did not receive the necessary help after a tick bite.
“We called an ambulance. They told us: get here yourselves, there are no free vehicles. We arrived there, they cleaned it with alcohol and said: keep an eye on it. That was it! If the temperature rises or he becomes lethargic, go to the paediatrician. There is no immunoglobulin, we cannot help you in any way, wait and hope that it isn't encephalitis,” the woman writes.
Residents of the region confirmed that the serum is not available in Altai, nor in Ridder, nor in Oskemen. Some parents had to take their children to Astana.
According to them, the only place where the drug could still be found is the village of Katon-Karagay. Furthermore, villagers have to take ticks themselves to laboratories in the regional centre to be tested for encephalitis.
The EKR health department said that only small reserves of immunoglobulin remain in the region and they are insufficient.
A procurement request for the drug was submitted last year, but due to the early spring and the increase in tick numbers, the need has risen sharply. The department clarified that it has sent an additional request for the supply of immunoglobulin to LLP “SK-Pharmacy”.
Until supplies resume, public health officials advise residents to protect themselves from bites: wear closed clothing and repellents, and carefully check themselves after walks.
At the same time, specialists from the National Centre of Expertise are carrying out treatment of areas against ticks. Vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis in the region will begin in October.